The Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform voted 6-3 to approve the bill Thursday. The vote clears the path for a full vote in the chamber.

The bill would let developers fill up to an acre of urban wetlands without a DNR permit as long as the activity doesn't affect a rare and high-quality wetland. They could fill up to 3 acres per parcel of wetlands outside urban areas without a permit if again the activity doesn't disturb a rare and high-quality wetland and the project is related to agriculture.

Conservationists say the measure would lead to the destruction of countless wetland acres, resulting in more flooding and the loss of wildlife habit.

------

8:30 a.m.

A legislative committee is preparing to vote on a bill that would allow developers to fill wetlands without state permits.

The Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform is scheduled to take up the bill Thursday morning.

The Republican bill would allow developers to fill up to an acre of urban wetlands without a Department of Natural Resources permit as long as the activity doesn't affect a rare and high-quality wetland. They could fill up to 3 acres per parcel of wetlands outside urban areas without a DNR permit if again the activity doesn't disturb a rare and high-quality wetland and the development project is related to agriculture.

Conservationists say the measure would lead to the widespread loss of state wetlands, resulting in more flooding and the destruction of wildlife habit.